Would you say you have ever felt a ‘sense of community’ through online interactions? What do you make of the notion? Are the models of ‘sense of community’ derived from f2f community researchers valid standards for judging online community.
I would say I have felt a sense of community online. However, this has only been when I have previously known some members of the online community in person. I suppose this kind of introduction to an online community could be substituted by a more lengthy process online of getting to know and gaining the trust of members, although this is not something I have experienced directly.
Some online communities I have visited have certainly had feelings of hostility towards new members or those who haven’t posted frequently and I’ve observed that such members are less frequently or less thoroughly replied to. As with our blogging, a lack or replies is a bit demoralising and in terms of forums etc means people are less likely to post again or re-visit. In the community I feel a sense of belonging to, a group decisison was taken to privatise the forum and only allow new members to join who were good friends of well respected and long standing members. This decision was taken to ensure the overall SOC remained, something i belive is certainly important in ensuring members feel a sence belonging and continue to contribute to the community.
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Yes, apart from anything else, making it an exclusive club raises the 'importance' of membership -and hence the sense responsibility of membership, a key aspect of virtual community.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about posting into the silence of cyberspace. It seems that even when there's marks in it, most NMC students prefer to consume than produc(s)e?